The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-18
AFFAIRS OF THE RAILWAYS
Bro.h.rhood of Brakemen.

BISGHAMToN. N. Y, Oct. 1.-THE fourth an
nual international convention of the Br Their
hood of RAILROAD Brakemen opened in this city
this morning. About 300 delegates present,
from every section of the United States and
Canada, and were accorded a hearty welcome by
the local labor unions. The feature of to-day
was the grand parade, which took place this
afternoon. About 1000 men were in line
including the members of the city
government, militia companies. trades
unions, benevolent societies the Brotherhood
delegates and large number Of brakemen from
along the line of the Erie and the Lackawanna
roads After the parade, Mayor Bayless de-
house, and Grand Master S. G. Wilkinson, of
Peoria. Ill. read his annual address. The ad-
dress was a lengthy and eloquent appeal to the
brotherhood to stand and work together. He
briefly reviewed the progress of the order since
us organization in caboose at Oneonta. this
state, four years ago. to the present member
ship OF 10000 On the subject of strikes he
said: I'VE present all grievances TO the
proper committees and if they fail We, In con-
junction with them. sndeavor TO arrange mat
ters by arbitration, but if that fails we then
liberty that the Nation teaches all OK Its
children"
Speeches were also made by Edmund O'Con-
nor, of Binghamton, and E. V. Dsbs, of Terre
Haute, Ind, grand secretary of the Brotherhood
Of Locomotive FIremen.
The first business session opens to- morrow
morning. The sessions will be ret. and will
last about ten days. 1t is und ers TODD that
many radical changes in the consti tuition will
be made, and that there will be liv ely contest
over the election of officer
Lower Prices for Steel Rails In Prospect.
Without question the steel-rail market is some
what demoralzed and railway managers dis
posed TO hold OF in placing orders until the sit
uation is better understood. The arrangements
OF three Indianapolis lires will be in the market
for large quantities of new steel rails next year,
but are holding back their orders, excellent
Philadelphia telegram says regarding the
rumored decentralization: 'While the steel rail
trade is not satisfactory is might be. it's
stion is this About 2. 600 900 tons of steel rails
were contracted for during 1887. of which nearly
three fourths have been delivered. OF the bal
ance, postponemepts for about so. 900 tons have
been asked for. This, with the apathetic de-
there 10 truth in the report that some
of the mills arranging to shut
down for want of orders. On the contrary, some
have refused orders within the, past few days
simply because they could not possibly fill them
in the time required. AS to next years business
large as during 1887 Neither is it likely that
prices will be as demoraliZed as some people are
trying make out. The ombination which
was formed in 1885 to regulate matters of this
kind is still in existence, and il the demand is
not likely to keep all the mills steadily at work
arrangement will be made by which denorali-
cation in prices will be avoided by some of the
time nothing of this kind has been arranged for,
simply because it has not been necessary.
Everything is in shape to meet the contingency,
if such should arise.